MESA, Ariz. – The Sacramento State baseball team came into Friday morning's game needing a win to remain in the 2018 WAC Tournament, and they got more than enough in a 17-3 rout of CSU Bakersfield.

The Hornets (32-24) piled up 17 runs on 18 hits in the seven-inning game against CSUB (21-36), both season highs. The runs and hits were their most since scoring 20 runs on 19 hits on March 30, 2014 at New Mexcio State.

Ian Dawkins led the team with four hits, going 4-for-6 with a double, a triple, and four runs scored. Matt Smith went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and four RBIs, including a big two-run double in the second inning.

Vinny Esposito also drove in four runs for the Hornets, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored, the four RBIs, and a three-run home run. Also homering in the game was Keith Torres, who finished the game 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a sacrifice fly, and a walk.

In total, eight of Sacramento State's nine starters had at least one hit while six of nine had two or more. Eight of nine starters also scored a run in the 17-3 rout. The Hornets scored five runs in three separate innings in the win.

Senior Austin Root got the start for the Hornets and tossed a complete game for Sacramento State, his second this season. Root allowed three runs – just one earned – on eight hits and one walk while striking out four.

With the win, Austin Root improves to 10-3 on the season, becoming the first 10-game winner for Sacramento State since Roland DeLaMazza won 11 games in 1993.

Sacramento State advances in the tournament, turning around to play Grand Canyon in another elimination game next this afternoon at 3:00 pm PT.